Pats @ Broncos First Half Thoughts

As the New England Patriots take a 10-3 lead over the Denver Broncos into the break of their Week 15 road game, here are some first half thoughts. 

Struggles Continued- Coming into the game, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had struggled in his career when playing in Denver. The struggles that have him at a 2-7 record playing on the road against the Broncos were ever present through the first quarter, as the future Hall-of-Famer didn't complete a pass in six attempts.

Changing It Up- While he struggled to connect with his targets throughout the first quarter, Brady bounced back to start the second quarter. On the team's first offensive series of the second, Brady went to his trusted top target Julian Edelman three times for 44 yards and was a perfect 4-4 for 57 yards on the drive that ended on a 1-yard touchdown by LeGarrette Blount.

Record Setter- Blount 1-yard rumble in the second quarter was good for his 15th rushing score of the season. That now cements the veteran as the franchise's single season rushing touchdown record holder, as he passes Hall-of-Fame running back Curtis Martin, who had multiple 14-touchdown seasons as a member of the Pats.

Winning The Turnover Battle- So far the Pats are winning the turnover battle, 2-0. The team has also made the most of both of the turnovers that they've forced, as they've scored 10 points off of them. The first turnover came on a muffed punt by Denver returner Jordan Norwood, who failed to secure the ball on a fair catch call. New England's offense, which had struggled on it's first couple of drives, started the series in field goal range and, while they didn't add many yards on the drive, were able to add three points thanks to a 45-yard boot by Stephen Gostkowski. The second turnover came on a nice job of jumping a route, by veteran cornerback Logan Ryan. After reading Broncos' quarterback Trevor Siemian's eyes, Ryan jumped a 7-yard out to Demaryius Thomas and took it the other way for 46 yards. The pick not only gave the Pats the ball, but also took potential points off the board for Denver, who had been inside the red zone and within field goal distance on the play. The New England offense followed up the pick with their best series of the half, going seven plays for 46 yards and a score.

Flipping The Script- As is normally the way, the Patriots are not doing what many people predicted they would coming into the game. Most thought that the Pats would use Blount, who is there big power back, as a hammer to nail through a week Broncos run defense, but while the vet has a goal line score, he's only carried the ball five times for eight yards through one half of play. Instead, the Pats have given the ball to shifty, dual threat back Dion Lewis on the bulk of their running plays. The quick and nimble back has responded to the the boost in opportunities, carrying the ball 11 times for 59 yards through the first two quarters. So, while the Pats are keeping it heavy on the ground like many thought, they're using a weapon no one really expected so far.

Getting Back On Stride- After the abysmal first quarter for Brady, the All-Pro bounced back nicely in the second quarter. Coming off a first quarter without a completion in six attempts, Brady connected on eight of his 10 passes in the second quarter. Through one half, the league's all-time wins leader is 8-16 for 76 yards and moving in the right direction.

Going To His Guy- Brady's second quarter success was thanks in large part to solid play from his top option in the passing game, Julian Edelman. On six balls thrown his way, Edelman caught four passes for 50 yards, all coming in the second quarter.